Press Release
City of Fernandina Beach
Submitted by Adrienne Burke
Community Development Director
www.fbfl.us/cdd
February 1, 2015 1:00 p.m.
Fernandina Beach has been named one of the 2015 Florida Healthy Weight Community Champions by the Florida Surgeon General. Florida’s Surgeon General and the State Department of Health have a public-private initiative titled “Healthiest Weight Florida,” in recognition that the number one public health threat in Florida is obesity. According to the Florida Department of Health, 65% of adults in Florida are at an unhealthy weight, one in three children are considered overweight, and costs from ailments related to obesity are estimated to cost $34 billion over the next seventeen years.
The Surgeon General recognizes that local governments play an important role in decreasing the prevalence of unhealthy weight in Florida. Various policies can be implemented that help increase physical activity and improve nutrition, and partnerships with the local health departments and other organizations can improve outreach. These policies can serve as best practices for other communities. In Fernandina Beach, examples of these policies include requirements for bicycle and pedestrian trails in new development, an emphasis on multi-modal transportation options including bicycles and walking, mixed-use land uses, an active parks and recreation program, support for farmer’s markets, and participation in the Florida Blueways program and recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Community.
To recognize local governments making progress in health-focused policies, all local governments were invited to submit examples of their policies. 65 communities are being recognized for their efforts, up from 38 in 2014. “Health improves in communities through local solutions,” said Dr. John Armstrong, State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health. “The number of recognized communities has almost doubled from the 2014 recognition cycle which demonstrates a growing commitment among local governments to make Florida a healthy place to live, work, and play.” Representatives of the Nassau County Department of Health will be present at the February 17th City Commission meeting to formally recognize the City’s efforts.
For more information, visit http://www.healthiestweightflorida.com/recognition.html